Gospel Reflections for March 18 2018
Come to North Korea and see!
Much of the world’s attention is now focused on talks between the United States along with its allies in the region …and North Korea.
Talks like these always bring up the difference between words and behavior. It is easy to say beautiful things in meetings, but what the world wants to see is actual behavior that is genuine. A lot of lives depend on this! After decades of oppressive North Korean rule, the world is looking for positive, real, and verifiable change, not just talk.
After decades of oppressive Roman rule and heavy taxation, the Jews were also desperately looking for someone who would set them free.
It is a familiar tale. When weighed down by oppression, sickness, or violence we look for someone who will make it all better. Jesus sees that desperation in the people who come to see Him in today’s Gospel, and He deeply feels their pain.
Earlier in this Gospel (John 1:39) Andrew meets Jesus and asked if He was the Messiah. Jesus simply replied “Come and see.” What an honest response!
Jesus is willing to have His life closely observed by anyone …so that everyone can see for themselves if His life is genuine and worthy to follow. That shows great confidence in the goodness of His mission.
Jesus continues with the image of a seed that dies in order to grow. It is His famous metaphor of love, where we take our life and offer it completely for the genuine good of others and their happiness. Love is an authentic life lived for others.
The way of dictators is selfishness. North Korean leaders today live luxuriously, threaten their neighbors with destruction, and cruelly starve their own people. That cannot continue
Much to everyone’s surprise, the entire Roman Empire converted to Christianity in the centuries after Jesus. It happened simply by Christians offering the same invitation as Jesus did. If you would like to see if the way of Jesus provides for your lasting happiness …come and see for yourself!
You may not be able to influence the North Korean talks, but in these final days of Lent, let us all live our lives in such a way that others will see the truth of Jesus and His love in our own behavior.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you. Once again, your analogy is concise and understandable. I often wonder why the world’s society hasn’t learned to be more loving and less shallow.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Fr. Dave
I like the part about the Christians invited all to see the way of Jesus, that provides for your lasting happiness..,come see for yourself!
God Bless,
Jane
They were proud of their Christian faith!
I agree that was a great analogy. I also thought of the plant that must die for the seed to come and grow., Many seeds and many more plants will come out of it. It reminded me that we must also die to ourselves that Christs love can grow through us. Not always easy to let go of our ways but the rewards can be great.
Love in Christ,
Rebecca
Well said!
Father Dave, Your beautiful words for they are sooooooo filled with love!! To live jesus’ love is the meaning to life and the secret to joy and happiness!!! We must live by love and example as Jesus did!! Dick and I loveeeeeeeeeee our precious Faidth and we loveeeeee you for beautifully sharing it with others!! Hope you had a fabulous St. Patrick’s day for St. Patrick changed the world with his beautiful Faith and Happy St, Joseph’s day for St’ Joseph loved our Jesus and our Mary and has taugh tus to live a beautiful family life of Faith, love and joy!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick Love the University and your talks!!!
Thank you!